Exciting new artistic leadership is coming to the Hilbert Circle Theatre in 2024 as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes conductor Jun Märkl as the ISO’s eighth music director effective September 1, 2024, which marks the beginning of the 2024–25 season.
“The ISO is thrilled to announce Jun Märkl as the orchestra’s next music director,” said James Johnson, CEO, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. “The ISO is deeply grateful to Maestro Märkl for his artistic leadership and unwavering commitment to the orchestra. We look forward to an exhilarating new era of musical collaboration and artistic excellence in the coming years under Maestro Märkl’s vision.”
Maestro Märkl has served as the ISO’s artistic advisor since 2021 and will act as music director-designate until September. As music director, he will bring creative leadership to the ISO through visionary programming, community engagement, and artistic development.
Born in Munich, Germany, Märkl’s father was a German concertmaster and violinist, and his mother was a Japanese concert pianist. Jun grew up surrounded by music and also plays the violin and piano himself. He has worked with orchestras all over the world and currently serves as Music Ddrector of the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as Principal Guest Conductor of the Oregon Symphony, and was recently named Chief Conductor of the Residentie Orkest in The Hague beginning with the 2025–26 season.
When he’s not on the podium, Märkl enjoys traveling and seeing the world, especially when he can use his campervan to drive around Europe. “I love being in the city, but I also love nature,” he explains.
When Märkl assumes the role of music director at the ISO, he is looking forward to creating special moments in music with the ISO musicians. “I’m trying to create an ensemble where everyone feels that they have some importance in the whole performance or rehearsal,” he says. “Music is a two-way street: I start the piece, but I listen to the musicians. I’m helping to organize the most beautiful things when we all play together.”
The ISO musicians are also excited to be working with Maestro Märkl. “Hiring Jun is so exciting!” says Principal Oboe Jen Christen. “Ever since I joined the orchestra in 2012, my colleagues have overwhelmingly loved his guest conductor weeks with us. It’s a dream come true that’s he’s our music director after all these years!”
Principal Cello Austin Huntington agrees. “Jun is a truly kind and generous artist whose creativity surpasses itself each time he returns. He is passionate about community, education, and artistic excellence, which is perfect right now for this growing city. He is the perfect person to bring the ISO to the next level, both artistically and regarding national and international recognition.”
Maestro Märkl’s first performance as music director-designate will be the weekend of January 26–27 as he conducts The Music of Strauss, a personal favorite of his. He will return to the podium the weekend of April 26–27 to conduct the music of Elgar, Mendelssohn, and Debussy. Tickets and more information are available at IndianapolisSymphony.org.